An energizing and refreshing, plant-based power bowl! This beet Buddha bowl is a crunchy, vibrant blend of ingredients all topped with a sweet tahini dressing. Made in just a few minutes it's a great pick me up for lunch.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I can tell you that this healthy, power bowl is guaranteed to nourish and re-energize!
This beet Buddha bowl recipe is made with refreshing, liver-friendly vegetables and fiber-boosting chickpeas.
Plus, drizzled with an orange tahini dressing keeps the bowl light and fresh.
Use it as a meal prep lunch or a quick dinner, it's an easy recipe that works any time of year just like this gluten-free poke bowl.
What Is A Buddha Bowl?
Buddha bowl is a fancy way of saying “plant-based power bowl of random items”. Truly!
Typically Buddha bowl recipes are vegan recipes. Likewise, what they have in common is that they’re loaded with vegetables.
Even though there are a ton of recipes out there, learn how to make a Buddha bowl and start throwing together your own creations.
Ingredients You Need
Cooked quinoa - used as the base of the Buddha bowl recipe this is easiest if you already have some in the fridge. Learn more about how to make meal prep easy.
Cooked chickpeas - though you can use plain chickpeas I personally like to roast my chickpeas first for added crunch.
Fresh beets - amp up the color on this Buddha bowl and use both yellow and red beets.
Extra veggies - we like to add sliced cucumber and radish to the recipe because they're crunchy and fresh. But any leftover roasted root vegetables will work also.
Buddha bowl dressing - this dressing is made from tahini, maple syrup, fresh orange juice, miso paste, and olive oil. It's a creamy sweet blend perfect for warmer days. Know that any neutral oil will work in place of olive oil but make sure to use gluten-free miso paste a many contain wheat. You could also substitute this with a tahini with molasses dressing for a different flavor.
How To Make It
If you have everything prepped in advance, making this beet Buddha bowl is as easy as putting it all together- just like this instant pot quinoa burrito bowl.
If not, get your quinoa cooked and your chickpeas roasted first.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients and set aside.
- Peel and prep all veggies. Divide the quinoa between four dinner bowls (roughly ¾ cup per bowl).
- Top the bowls with the prepped veggies. Add dressing to your bowl and enjoy
Meal Prepping The Bowl
This Buddha bowl on quinoa makes the perfect meal prep recipe. Given that everything is eaten cold, it’s easy to make ahead of time and take it with you!
Simply portion the quinoa and toppings into separate containers and top with the dressing (or keep the dressing on the side, your choice!).
Likewise, using rice as the base works well too! This red rice in the instant pot is wonderful!
Know that the miso dressing works nicely in this onigiri recipe too!
Expert Tips To Make It
To make this beet Buddha bowl whole30-approved you need to sub out the quinoa for cauliflower rice or something like roasted sweet potatoes. Likewise, ditch the chickpeas as well and just eliminate the maple syrup in the dressing all together.
The dressing can be placed on the bowl ahead of time and left to sit or drizzled on right before eating. The tahini sauce thickens a bit slightly but the flavor remains. And if you love it, put this tahini salad on your meal plan too.
Know that you can add extra toppings also like sliced avocado, spicy kimchi or sweet pickles for a pop of flavor.
Choosing A Protein
Though the quinoa in this recipe provides some plant-based protein, you may want to add more.
Most Buddha bowl recipes are vegan by nature so adding some tofu or tempeh is the norm.
However, I like to blend healthy fresh vegetables with healthy animal-based protein which means I top mine with:
- Leftover Dutch oven chicken
- Chunks of teriyaki steak bites
- Hard-boiled egg
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Frequently Asked Questions About Buddha Bowls
Yes! Most Buddha bowls have a predominant focus on vegetables and whole grains. They use a combo of plant-based protein to round out the macronutrients. However, other proteins can obviously be used.
The main ingredients you need to make your own Buddha bowls are: vegetables, a grain, protein, dressing or sauce, and fun additional toppings.
Other Easy, Gluten-Free Recipes
Tahini Beet Buddha Bowl With Quinoa (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Video
Equipment
- Bowls for serving
Ingredients
Bowl Ingredients
- 2.5 cups quinoa cooked & chilled (just over half a cup dry)
- 1.25 cups chickpeas rinsed
- 2 beets large, shredded
- ½ cucumber sliced
- 6 radishes shredded
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon miso
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup tahini
- ⅓ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon oil I like olive or avocado
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredient and set aside.
- Peel and prep all veggies. Divide the quinoa between four dinner bowls (roughly ¾ cup per bowl).
- Top the bowls with the prepped veggies. Add dressing to your bowl and enjoy
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Shelby S says
This bowl is super light and the combo of fresh vegetables and bright citrus dressing is so good.
sarah says
I used to make a stir fry with them too so tasty! Enjoy the bowl and let me know what you think about the combo when you try it!
fitasamamabear says
Mmm you honestly can't go wrong with the combo!
justine says
Oh my YUM! You can never go wrong with buddha bowls! OR Beets!
fitasamamabear says
Right!? I could eat bowl variations pretty much every day.. and beets, I adore beets!
Plushy says
This is so simple and light, perfect for a summer meal. And not to mention that all these colours work so well together! Miam!
fitasamamabear says
Thanks! It's definitely a tasty one and you can't go wrong with a color filled bowl!
Elizabeth Brico says
This sounds AMAZING! Super delicious and healthy, and VEGAN. Thank you!!
fitasamamabear says
It's a tasty one- I hope you enjoy it! I've been addicted to it since I made it haha
April Kitchens says
I love a good Buddha bowl! I pinned this to make later. Bowls are so simple to make especially when my little is running me ragged lol.
fitasamamabear says
Yes! Thanks for pinning. Honestly bowls just come together so nicely and are full of healthy ingredients. i love how light but tasty they are
The Crumby Vegan says
I personally love Buddha bowls (they are so super easy and nutritious) but I hadn't heard of the orange and beetroot combination! So mega... And VEGAN! Woohoo. Must tell Husband about this - thank you 🙂 ?
fitasamamabear says
Mmm I love orange and beets! I used to make a stir fry with them too so tasty! Enjoy the bowl and let me know what you think about the combo when you try it!
Helen Snowdon says
I dislike beetroot but this looks so good like you said, they are so versatile do I could substitute it.
fitasamamabear says
You don't like beets!? I suppose I can accept that 😉 Honestly any veggie you enjoy would work but I'd sub with grated carrots- same texture and they work well with orange 🙂
Katie/Celebrating With The Bug says
This looks delicious! Forgive my ignorance what is miso or would there be a good alternative? 🙂
fitasamamabear says
Thanks Katie! Miso is a fermented soy paste and has kind of a tangy taste to it. Because it's fermented it's amazing for your gut bacteria. There's not a great substitution but you could try omitting it and adding more tahini. The flavor profile would be a bit more dull but I think still tasty!
Blu says
Seems easy enough to make. Beets are making a comeback! I usually use beef powder. I can't remember the last time I ate them.
fitasamamabear says
Ohh I actually haven't played around with beet powder- thanks for the tips! I love beets- roasted, raw every way possible.
Tracy says
Yum! Beets are my fave and we have so many in the CSA box right now. I'm always looking for creative uses. Thanks!
fitasamamabear says
I adore beets! When in doubt, roast them with seat salt... so yummy!
Charlotte says
I haven't had a buddha bowl in ages, and love that they are so easy to make! I don't cook with beets often enough, this looks like an incredible recipe--thanks so much for sharing 🙂
fitasamamabear says
I go through bowl phases too but I'm loving them in the warm weather right now! Enjoy the bowl- let me know what you think!